Final answer:
Symptoms of a Dextromethorphan (DXM) overdose include CNS depression, euphoria, impaired motor and sensory function, shallow breathing, and possibly cardiac arrest. Hallucinations and involuntary movements may occur, and the severity can vary due to individual tolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dextromethorphan (DXM) overdose signs and symptoms can be quite serious. Overdose symptoms commonly include central nervous system depression, which manifests as difficulty in thinking, incoordination, and slowed speech. Excessive consumption may also result in shallow breathing, staggering, and in extreme cases, loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. Users may experience disorientation and euphoria, as well as impaired motor and sensory function. Hallucinations, both visual and auditory, along with involuntary movements of the jaw, tongue, and eyes, are possible. Nausea and vomiting are common, and a severe overdose can lead to long-term neurological implications if the individual survives.
It is worth noting that the risks associated with DXM overdose are serious enough to warrant caution, particularly in children, as addressed in the 2015 FDA warning concerning the use of cough medications containing codeine or similar compounds. As with many substances, tolerance levels can alter the impact of an overdose, making it difficult to predict the exact amount that might result in a life-threatening situation.